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Pan-Seared Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce

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A quick and elegant pan-seared halibut recipe featuring a tangy lemon butter sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 halibut fillets, about 6 ounces each, skinless and patted dry
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat halibut fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a 10- or 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Place fillets in the skillet away from you and cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until edges are opaque and bottom is golden brown.
  4. Carefully flip fillets using tongs or a fish spatula. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and spoon melted butter over the fish repeatedly for 2-3 minutes until internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C).
  5. Transfer cooked halibut to a warm plate and tent loosely with foil.
  6. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, minced garlic, and lemon zest to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Pour in lemon juice and white wine or broth if using, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  8. Stir in chopped parsley and pour sauce over halibut fillets. Serve immediately.

Notes

Patting the fish dry is essential for a crispy crust. Use medium-high heat but avoid burning the butter. If fish sticks to the pan, wait longer before flipping. Let fish rest briefly after cooking to redistribute juices. For dairy-free, substitute butter with ghee or coconut oil. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: pan-seared halibut, lemon butter sauce, seafood dinner, quick fish recipe, easy dinner, healthy seafood

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/pan-seared-halibut-recipe-easy-lemon-butter-sauce-perfect-dinner/